Smith threw four interceptions in practice and looked out of rhythm from the start. He is still dealing with a sprained right ankle, which Ryan felt affected him yesterday.

“That was Geno’s worst day,” Ryan said. “Obviously, the ankle is part of it. But way too many picks and things. He did not look comfortable today. Obviously, he has to come back from it and he will come back from it. It was a bad day. … This was a really bad day for Geno.”

Ryan has yet to name a starting quarterback for Saturday’s preseason game with the Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. He repeatedly has said Smith’s ankle is a factor in the decision and even left the door open Smith may not play at all.

“I guess we’ll see how it goes,” Ryan said. “He’s been out there practicing working through things. I don’t want to get into the what-ifs and all that. I guess [Smith being held out] could be a possibility.”

Smith’s play has slipped after a hot start to training camp. After the team’s Green and White scrimmage on Aug. 3, the two quarterbacks have gone in different directions. Smith has struggled while Sanchez has strung together a series of good practices, the one big hiccup coming against the Lions when he threw the pick-six.

Smith said he does not think he has played worse recently.

“Not one bit,” he said. “It’s been a step up. I’ve been getting better every single day. Every single moment on the practice field is an opportunity to learn from and get better from. We all compete out here. That’s what it’s about.”

Because Sanchez started the first preseason game, it seemed logical Smith would get this start. But the Jets have refused to say who will open the game.

Everyone around the Jets is giving odd answers about the situation. Smith said, “no comment” when asked if he wants to start Saturday night.

Ryan keeps saying Smith’s ankle will be a factor in the decision, but the only way it can be a factor is if the staff is weighing not playing him at all. Why would the Jaguars’ second-team defense be any easier on his ankle than the first-team?

Sitting Smith would be strange after they’ve had him practice all week on the bum ankle.

“I don’t think he’s at 100 percent,” Ryan said. “I don’t believe he’s close to 100 percent right now. That doesn’t mean, we have a few more days, that it can’t get a lot better. We’ve seen these types of injuries get better in a hurry.

“You see it out there. He’s not able to move like he normally does. He’s not able to drive the ball like he normally does.”

Though Ryan feels the ankle is holding Smith back, Smith refuses to say it has hindered him.

“I haven’t really been trying to use it as an excuse,” Smith said. “I’ve been out there trying to giving it my all. I think I’ve done a good job of pushing through this week.”

Ryan would not answer a question about how it would affect the quarterback competition if Smith misses Saturday’s game. The Jets have two more preseason games after Saturday, but starters generally sit out the final game.

“If that’s what happens, we’ll address it then,” Ryan said. “Certainly we’re not thinking about this right now. We’re assuming … we’re hoping that Geno is able to play, that Mark is able to play and everything’s the way we originally planned.”